Multifunction operating device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a multifunction operating device, especially for a vehicle, for selecting function groups ( 22 ) and functions ( 25 ) in a menu structure which can be represented on a display device ( 14 ), said operating device comprising at least one two-directional rotating element ( 11 ). According to the invention, the two-directional rotating element ( 11 ) is embodied in such a way that it can select function groups ( 22 ) and/or functions ( 25 ) in a menu plane ( 21, 24, 26, 30 - 32 ). Furthermore, a second operating device ( 12, 13 ) is provided for selecting the menu planes.

[0001] The present invention relates to a multifunctional operating device, in particular for a vehicle, for preselecting and selecting function groups and functions within a menu structure representable on a display device, the multifunctional operating device having at least one bidirectional rotary element.

[0002] In the case of modern electronic devices in a vehicle, which constantly offer additional functions having more and more options, multifunctional operating elements, with the aid of which various functions of the attached devices are controllable, have been provided due to the limited space for the corresponding operating elements. Thus, EP 0 366 132 B1 describes, for example, a multifunctional operating device for motor vehicles, where function groups (MENUS) and individual functions are selected with the aid of a rotary switch, and where an ENTER function can be triggered; one and the same bidirectional rotary switch being used for selecting menus and individual functions. In this context, the rotary switch mentioned has click-stop positions, to which menus or individual functions are assigned, the ENTER function being able to be triggered by an axial movement of the rotary switch. Such a multifunctional operating device is used, for example, to enter a destination in a navigation system. To this end, an alphanumeric keyboard is illustrated on a display unit, the user being able to move forwards and backwards in the alphanumeric keyboard with the aid of the bidirectional motion of the rotary switch. When the cursor is then situated on the desired alphanumeric character, it can be selected and read into the navigation system by moving the rotary switch axially. In addition, it is also known from DE 199 41 960 that the operating element can be designed as a cylinder, which is bidirectionally rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and is elastically movable with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional operating device, which can be operated in a manner that is even more user-friendly and further simplifies the haptics of operation.

[0004] This object is achieved by the features set forth in claim 1. Advantageous developments and further refinements are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The present invention provides for the bidirectional rotary element being designed to have a rotational axis that runs in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of a vehicle part. Function groups and/or functions are bidirectionally preselected and selected within a menu level with the aid of the bidirectional, rotary element. The menu levels are selected, using a second operating device.

[0006] In this context, the second operating device may be realized by moving the bidirectional rotary element parallelly to the axis of rotation of the bidirectional rotary element. To form the second operating device, a further variant provides for the bidirectional rotary element being designed as a rocker in the direction of the axis of rotation.

[0007] Another possibility is to provide a second operating device having one or two operating elements, which are preferably manipulable in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the bidirectional rotary element. The second operating device is positioned on or at least partially in the bidirectional rotary element and forms a structural unit with the rotary element.

[0008] According to a preferred refinement of the present invention, the bidirectional rotary element is provided for preselection and/or selection in two directions on the display device, and the second operating device is provided for selection in two additional directions, preferably perpendicular to the selection directions of the bidirectional rotary element.

[0009] According to a further refinement of the present invention, the second operating device is made up of one operating element per selection direction.

[0010] The bidirectional rotary element is preferably situated in the vehicle and positioned with respect to the display device in such a manner, that the function groups and functions on the display device are selected in the sense of the rotational directions of the bidirectional rotary element.

[0011] An advantageous development provides that, after at least one function is preselected and/or selected by rotatably manipulating the bidirectional rotary element, the function may be activated by manipulating the second operating device. In the case of functions that are relevant to safety or subject to a charge, such as the dialing of a telephone number, it is particularly useful to provide deliberate activation of these functions, in order to prevent unintentional triggering of such functions.

[0012] The bidirectional rotary element advantageously takes the form of a large-sized set wheel, so that it may easily be gripped, even without or with little eye contact of the user, and manipulated in a haptically simple manner, for example by the ball of the thumb.

[0013] At least in the case of individual function groups and/or functions, it may be provided that, after preselection of the function group and/or function, the preselected function groups and/or function are automatically selected and/or activated. To ensure that the function group and/or function was actually preselected, a further refinement provides for the preselected function group and/or function first being automatically selected and/or activated when a selected time span has elapsed after preselection.

[0014] In a further advantageous refinement, it is indicated that further switches and/or push-buttons are situated in direct haptic proximity, next to the bidirectional operating element. In this connection, in haptic proximity means that push-button switches may be manipulated simultaneously by the fingers of the same hand by which the bidirectional operating element or the rotary manipulation wheel may be scrolled. By this means, individual, predefined selection functions, which are controllable by scrolling, may be selected on the display device.

[0015] In addition, operating elements, e.g. push-button switches, which are individually assigned to the primary function groups, may be provided for the selection of primary function groups, in particular for the selection of individual, attached devices and/or groups of devices.

[0016] According to a further refinement of the present invention, the bidirectional rotary element is sunk into the surface of a vehicle part to such an extent, that the rotary element is easily manipulable and the axis of rotation is already below the surface of the vehicle part.

[0017] In an advantageous refinement, it is indicated that the bidirectional operating element, together with the second operating device, is situated spatially and structurally separately from the display device, but is not functionally separate from it. This allows the display device to be situated in an optimal, optical monitoring position for the occupants. Independently of this, the operating device is placed in the optimum, haptic operating position. It is inevitable that the optimum, optical monitoring position is not necessarily the optimum haptic position for operating the multifunctional operating device. For this reason, this very separation of the display device and operating device is advantageous, because, first of all, the optical position, and secondly, the haptic position may only be optimally situated by themselves.

[0018] The present invention is represented in the figures of the drawing, in several exemplary embodiments. The figures show:

[0019]FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of a multifunctional operating device of the present invention, situated in the armrest or a center console of a vehicle and in the steering wheel of the same;

[0020]FIG. 2 the schematic view of a multifunctional operating device of the present invention, built into the armrest or a center console of a vehicle;

[0021]FIG. 3 the schematic view of a multifunctional operating device of the present invention, situated in the instrument panel of a vehicle;

[0022]FIG. 4 a further specific embodiment of the multifunctional operating device of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 5 a perspective view of operating device 10;

[0024]FIG. 6 a functional example of the multifunctional operating device of the present invention, using a telephone service;

[0025]FIG. 7 a further functional example, using a telephone service; and

[0026]FIG. 8 a functional example, using an AUDIO menu.

[0027] The multifunctional operating device of the present invention having display device 14 and operating device 10 is designed for the selection of function groups (menus) and individual functions inside a menu structure on the same display device 14.

[0028] For example, operating device 10 may be situated in a steering wheel 15 a vehicle, see e.g. FIG. 1 of the drawing. Alternatively or in addition, operating device 10 of the present invention may be situated in an instrument panel 17 of the vehicle, see e.g. FIG. 3 or 4 of the drawing. Alternatively or in addition, it is also possible for operating device 10 to be situated in a center console or armrest 19, or in a gearshift lever 18 of a vehicle. For this, reference is made to FIG. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

[0029] In FIG. 1 of the drawing, operating device 10, which forms, together with display device 14, the multifunctional operating device of the present invention, is situated both in steering wheel 15 and armrest 19 or the center console of a vehicle. In FIG. 2, operating device 10 is situated exclusively in the armrest or the center console of the vehicle.

[0030] In the case of specific embodiments in which operating device 10 is situated in the region of armrest 19, see e.g. FIG. 2, bidirectional rotary element 11 of operating device 10 takes the form of a large-sized set wheel.

[0031] In FIG. 5, operating device 10 is represented in detail as a unit. Operating device 10 has a bidirectional rotary element 11, which projects from the vehicle-part surface and optionally has click-stop positions, which are for haptically selecting functions and function groups and may be programmable as a function of the function groups and/or functions present in a menu level. Vehicle-part surface 20 may be by, for example, the upper side of a center console or an armrest 19 (FIG. 1 and 2), or of a steering wheel 15 (FIG. 1) or instrument panel 17.

[0032] In this context, bidirectional rotary element 11 provided as a rotary manipulation wheel is situated horizontally with respect to vehicle-part surface 20, so that the axis of rotation of the rotary manipulation roll or rotary element 11 lies in the plane, i.e. horizontally. Since the orientation of the horizontal axis of rotation is such, that bidirectional rotary element 11 may rotate or, so to say, roll in directions such as the selecting and preselecting directions on display device 14, the result is a suitable angular manipulability of bidirectional rotary element 11. The rotary-manipulation roll or bidirectional rotary element 11 is advantageously installed with its axis of rotation in such a manner, that it is situated below vehicle-part surface 20. That is, the rotary-manipulation roll may be an absolutely round element, whose axis of rotation and rotational-axis suspension is to be situated beneath vehicle-part surface 20 or the operator interface.

[0033] A second operating device 12 and 13 is situated laterally to the rotary manipulation roll. For example, second operating device 12, 13 may be made up of two pushbutton elements, which may be manipulated in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of bidirectional rotary element 11.

[0034] Another variant of the multifunctional operating device of the present invention has a one-piece or two-piece operating device 12, 13, which is at least situated in bidirectional rotary element 11 that essentially takes the form of a ring or is formed with ring-shaped edges.

[0035]FIG. 6 shows an example of the functioning method of the multifunctional operating device according to the present invention. As previously explained, the multifunctional operating device is essentially made up of bidirectional rotary element 11 and second operating device 12, 13, which interact with spatially separated display device 14 that is situated in instrument panel 17.

[0036] After the multifunctional operating device is switched on, a main menu 21 having a number of function groups 22 or attached devices appears on display device 14. In the exemplary embodiment, these include one or more audio devices, telephone equipment, a navigation device, an organization program, and an air conditioner. By rotating bidirectional rotary element 11 in direction A, selection marking 23 jumps from function group 22 “AUDIO” to function group “TELEPHONE”. After the expiration of a predefined time span, which ensures that the function group “TELEPHONE” is also the function group 22 actually desired, this is selected and telephone menu 24 is represented on display device 14 (step 1). One may select between various functions 25 by manipulating rotary element 11 in direction A or B. In this case, the telephone book was selected via step 2. By manipulating operating element 12 in direction D, the display of display device 14 jumps into secondary menu 26 of the telephone book (step 3). In this case, a function 25 may be selected in turn (step 4) by rotating rotary element 11. This function is a function that has to be paid for, so that it is only activated by manipulating operating element 12 in direction D (step 5a). By manipulating operating element 13 in direction C, the user arrives again at a superordinate menu level (step 5b). Using inventive, graphical representation 27 and 28, a user may immediately recognize how many superordinate menu levels exist. Arrow 29 indicates that, at least for this function or function group, further menu levels are present below and/or above the selected menu level.

[0037] On menu levels 24 and 26, symbolic operating elements 34 are represented at the right edge of display device 14. These correspond to actual operating elements 36, which are formed as so-called softkeys. Operating elements 36 are assigned different, selected functions as a function of the menu level or menu branch.

[0038] In addition to bidirectional rotary element 11, second operating elements 12, 13, and softkeys 36, operating device 10 represented in FIG. 7 includes further operating elements 37, which, for example, take the form of pushbuttons. Operating elements 37 are each assigned to special primary function groups 22. These primary function groups may first of all be the operator menu of individual, attached devices, such as a radio and navigation device, or groups of devices. Thus, for example, the operator menus of several AUDIO devices are combined under AUDIO. Because of operating elements 37, the functioning method of the multifunctional operating device differs slightly from that of FIG. 6. If the user wants to operate one of the attached devices listed in main menu 21, he then manipulates appropriate operating element 37, in this case the operating element for the telephone device. Display device 14 then shows telephone menu 24 immediately. In the following, the operation is carried out in a manner analogous to FIG. 6.

[0039] Audio menu 30 shown in FIG. 8 includes the operation of several audio devices, such as radio, CD changer, TV, and an MP3 player. In addition, one more function, “AUDIO DEVICES OFF”, is provided. By rotating rotary element 11 in direction A or B, a function group 22 is also, in turn, preselected and selected in this case. Selection marking 29 is on the selected function group. In FIG. 3, it is the CD changer.

[0040] Arrow 29 appearing inside the selection marking indicates that further secondary menus exist for the function group, the further secondary menus being preselectable by manipulating operating element 12 in direction D.

[0041] Bar 27 on display device 14 indicates that audio menu 30 is not the main menu of the multifunctional operating device. One may jump to the main menu by manipulating operating element 13 in direction C.

[0042] If operating element 12 is now manipulated in direction D, the display jumps to the underlying menu level, and menu image 31 appears on display device 14. In this case, it is essential and inventive that display bars 27, 28 indicate that the user is on the third menu level, i.e. two superordinate levels exist. Arrow 32 indicates that not all functions 25 of this menu level are momentarily represented on display device 14.

[0043] These functions are brought into the display by rotatably manipulating rotary element 11.

[0044] In this case as well, a function, here especially an available CD, may be preselected and selected (step 2), in turn, by rotating rotary element 11 in direction A or B, and, by manipulating operating element 12 in direction D, a jump is made, in turn, to subjacent menu 32 (step 3), whose level is now indicated by bars 27, 28, and 33.

[0045] When a title (function) 25 is preselected and selected by rotatably manipulating rotary element 11, the CD changer is simultaneously activated, and the user may listen to this title. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multifunctional operating device, in particular for a vehicle, for preselecting and/or selecting function groups (22) and functions (25) within a menu structure representable on a display device, the multifunctional operating device having at least one bidirectional rotary element (11), wherein the bidirectional rotary element (11) is designed for preselecting and/or selecting function groups (22) and/or functions (25) within a menu level (21, 24, 26, 30-32), and at least one second operating device (12, 13) is provided for preselecting and/or selecting the menu levels (21, 24, 26, 30-32).
 2. The multifunctional operating device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second operating device (12, 13) is realized by moving at least a part of the bidirectional rotary element in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the bidirectional rotary element.
 3. The multifunctional operating device as recited in claim 1, wherein, in order to form the second operating device (12, 13), the bidirectional rotary element (11) takes the form of a rocker in the direction of the axis of rotation.
 4. The multifunctional operating device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second operating device (12, 13) is made up of one or two operating elements, the second operating device being situated on or at least partially in the bidirectional rotary element (11).
 5. The multifunctional operating device as recited in one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the bidirectional rotary element (11) is provided for preselection and/or selection in two directions (A, B), and the second operating device is provided for selection in two additional directions (C, D) preferably perpendicular to the selection directions of the bidirectional rotary element (11).
 6. The multifunctional operating device as recited in claim 5, wherein the second operating device is made up of one operating element (12, 13) for each preselection and/or selection direction.
 7. The multifunctional operating device as recited in one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the bidirectional rotary element (11) is positioned in the vehicle in such a manner, that a selection of function groups (22) and functions (25) on the display device (14) may be made in the sense of the rotational directions (A, B) of the bidirectional rotary element (11).
 8. The multifunctional operating device as recited in one of claims 1 through 7, wherein, after at least one function (25) is preselected and/or selected by rotatably manipulating the bidirectional rotary element (11), the function (25) may be activated by manipulating the second operating device (12, 13).
 9. The multifunctional operating device as recited in one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the bidirectional rotary element (11) takes the form of a large-sized set wheel.
 10. The multifunctional operating device as recited in one of claims 1 through 9, wherein, in the case of at least one of the function groups (22) and/or functions (25) preselected by the bidirectional rotary element (11), the preselected function group (22) and/or function (25) is automatically selected and/or activated.
 11. The multifunctional operating device as recited in claim 10, wherein, after the preselection of a function group (22) and/or function (25) and the expiration of a predefined period of time, the preselected function group (22) and/or function (25) is automatically selected and/or activated.
 12. The multifunctional operating device as recited in one of claims 1 through 11, wherein further operating elements (36) are situated in haptic proximity, next to the bidirectional rotary element (11).
 13. The multifunctional operating device as recited in claim 12, wherein the operating elements (36) are provided as softkeys for selecting and/or activating predefined, preselected functions (25).
 14. The multifunctional operating device as recited in one of claims 1 through 13, wherein control elements (37) individually assigned to the primary function groups (22) are provided for the selection of primary function groups (22), in particular for the selection of attached devices and/or groups of devices.
 15. The multifunctional operating device as recited in one of claims 1 through 14, wherein the bidirectional rotary element (11) is sunk into a vehicle-part surface (20) to such an extent, that the rotary element (11) is easily manipulable and the axis of rotation is already below the vehicle-part surface (20).
 16. The multifunctional operating device as recited in one of claims 1 through 15, wherein the bidirectional rotary element (11), together with at least the second operating device (12, 13), is spatially and structurally separated from the display device. 